Bendigo Harness Preview – Wednesday 1st July

OVERVIEW: This looks an open event to start the 10-race card at Bendigo. FINAL BOW (2) may not have enough gate speed to cross WICHITA KANSAS (1) early, but she should still be able to settle in a favourable position. She has been racing well without much luck and, if things go her way, can return to the winners’ circle. HURRICANE HOOLY (3) is racing better than his numerical form suggests. With the right run in transit, he is a genuine winning chance. TOPHUT JOHNY (9) was good last start at Cranbourne and follows out stablemate FINAL BOW (2). If he is close enough turning for home, he has the speed to be a major factor. WICHITA KANSAS (1) is racing well, has good gate speed and is ideally drawn to make full use of the ace barrier.

OVERVIEW: REVERAND BOB (4) was a good winner last start at his third run back. He worked forward to find the front and proved too strong. He should take improvement from that performance and will carry plenty of confidence into this race. The two Brent Lilley-trained runners, KYVALLEY JENNY (2) and CARTACALHA (1), both look well placed. They have good sectional times, favourable barriers and are difficult to split. SOLOTREKK (8) is first up here and should enjoy a comfortable fence trip. With the right luck at the top of the straight, he can be flashing home late. MONEY TALKS (5) and MISS HOLLY RED (3) are also winning chances if they get the right runs.

OVERVIEW: PARIS KAY (3) has been racing consistently well, despite not winning for some time. She was a solid fourth in a 55 to 64 NR race last start and drops back to a more suitable 50 to 55 NR event here. The class drop should suit. I AM HARRO (4) is a nice trotter when he brings his best to the races. He was eye-catching two starts ago, making a sustained run from well back to loop the field and race away for an impressive victory. He had little luck last start. This appears to be a slight step up in class, but he has the ability to measure up. PARIS JAMILLA (6) appears to be back to her career-best form since joining the Jamie Egan stable. She can occasionally make mistakes in her races, so she will need some luck and to trot throughout from barrier six. BUSLIN BRODY (9) is racing well and should settle into a suitable position from the back row. Also respecting LITTLE MISS MORGAN (8), who resumes here but faces an awkward draw.

BACK: PARIS KAY (3) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: WOODVILLE FLYER (3), a daughter of star mare Aussie Made Lombo, looks unlikely to remain a maiden for much longer. She has shown glimpses of ability and high speed throughout her short career and looks well placed in this field. EEBEEBEE (9) is rarely far away, having finished in the top three at six of her past eight starts. With the right run, she is likely to be right in the finish again. JUSTSOYOUKNOW (5) has had just one career start, finishing third at Bendigo on June 17. He settled back in the field before hitting the line strongly and should improve with the experience. DIAMONDONTHEROCKS (1) has good gate speed and looks well placed to take full advantage of the ace draw.

BACK: WOODVILLE FLYER (3) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (9) is a quality horse who was eye-catching at Melton on the weekend, storming home for third behind Hes From Heaven and Justalittlesip, who both enjoyed favourable fence runs. His final two quarters of 27.75 and 27.20 seconds were outstanding. He is a very talented horse and this looks a suitable race for him. AMPHIJET (3) resumes here and is a horse capable of producing a brilliant finishing burst when driven for luck. He also has a more favourable barrier than his main rivals. TRIPLE ROCK SAINT (4) has not won for some time, but he has been racing well in strong Saturday night company at Melton. He often relies on luck in running, but if he is close enough turning for home, he is good enough to be a major factor. HERAKLES (5) was a strong winner on a rain-affected track last start after doing work early. He comes into this race with confidence, although he will need some luck from the barrier against quality opposition.

BACK: MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (9) – 4 units (win)

OVERVIEW: JILLIBY ILLUSION (9) is the highest-rated mare in this field and gains a significant advantage with Corey O’Donoghue’s 5-point concession claim. She also has the best sectional times in the race and should be able to settle into a favourable position from barrier nine. BETTORSWEETVICTORY (6) has been racing consistently well and has built a strong association with driver James Herbertson. The barrier is awkward, but she remains a genuine winning chance. HALF PRICE BRIDE (8), like JILLIBY ILLUSION (9), is another higher-rated mare who benefits from a concession claim, with Blake Pace taking the drive. She resumed with a solid third last start and should improve with that run under her belt, although she will need some luck in running. THERESHEWAS (1) has the gate speed to make full use of the ace draw and should secure a favourable race map. Also respecting last-start winner BET SHEZA LADY (7) and noting A ROCKN NIGHTMARE (5), who showed promise when finishing a good second on debut and resumes here.

BACK: JILLIBY ILLUSION (9) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY MICHAEL (6) was solid in defeat when finishing second last start. He worked hard early to find the front before being run down late by a swooper. It was still a strong performance and he has the best sectional times in this field. SOSO MAJESTIC (1) resumed from almost two years on the sidelines last start, overcoming a 30-metre handicap in a standing-start event to flash home for third. It was an impressive first-up effort and he should take plenty of improvement from it. LITTLE MISS VALLEY (5) is in career-best form, having recorded three wins and a second from five starts this year. She is full of confidence and continues to improve. CENTURION DREAM (4) has had little luck in her recent Melton runs. She is a nice mare who looks well suited by this grade and the smaller field.

OVERVIEW: MISTER JIMARINGLE (2) settled well back in the Winter Series Final at Melton last start, won by the classy Major Blitz. He was buried on the fence and never had the opportunity to get into the race. Back to a more suitable class and barrier, he looks well placed. OWEN THE SAINTS (1) finished seventh on paper last start, but his run was much better than it reads. He was absolutely charging home late and, with clear running, would have gone close to winning. He should map perfectly from the ace draw and looks a major chance. OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (5) is a nice mare for champion trainer-driver Kerryn Manning. She has been racing competitively against quality mares at Melton and should appreciate this assignment, despite an awkward barrier. FLOJOS BEST (4) has a sharp turn of foot. She has good gate speed to settle prominently, but is equally effective when saved for one run, making her a genuine winning chance.

OVERVIEW: LIFE ON THE HILL (1) was third last start in fog-affected conditions with limited visibility. According to his GPS tracker, he covered an extra 41 metres after racing wide throughout, making the performance better than it appears on paper. He looks to be improving and can take full advantage of barrier one. WAR DAN PHOENIX (4) also covered additional ground in the same fog-affected race. When he does everything right, he is a competitive trotter at this level. BIG RAIN (2) has gone close to breaking through for her maiden victory on several occasions. She hit the line strongly for second at Ballarat last start and, if she maps well, is a genuine winning chance. RIPPING RONALDO (7) is yet to put it all together on race day. His connections have a high opinion of his ability, but he must improve his manners before he can be trusted. FLEUR DE LYS (5) is another to keep an eye on. She is a first starter who has placed in all three of her trials, albeit in modest times.